Marion Pantry robbed

A man armed with a hammer robbed Marion Pantry at 3245 S. Washington St. Saturday night, injuring the store clerk and making off with money, candy, cigarettes and lighters, according to MPD Deputy Chief Stephen Dorsey.

The 20-year-old clerk told police he spotted a masked man running toward the store and tried to hold the door shut, but the man was able to open it enough to strike the clerk's hands and get inside.

Once inside, the man hit the clerk multiple times in the hands and upper arms with a hammer as the clerk, who had fallen to the floor, tried to protect himself from the blows, according to Dorsey.

The clerk told police he then opened the cash register for the suspect, who withdrew an undisclosed amount of money. The masked man also took candy, Newport and Marlboro cigarettes and Bic lighters.

The suspect ran from the store heading west, and was described by the clerk as a black male wearing gloves, a blue hooded sweatshirt, black pants and black and white sneakers.

The clerk's hands were injured in the incident and a friend took the clerk to Marion General Hospital for treatment, according to Dorsey.

The convenience store has been the target of several armed robberies this summer, including two armed robberies in one day on July 11. Three juveniles – two 13-year-olds and a 15-year-old – were arrested in connection with the July 11 robberies.

Marion Pantry has fallen prey to armed robbers since then on Aug. 31 and Sept. 6, with another report of theft on Aug. 21.

"It certainly could be the same individual," Dorsey said of the recent string of robberies. MPD is asking anyone with information about the incidents to call MPD at 765-662-9981 or Crime Stoppers at 765-662-8477.